Are the Kmart ones reasonable? As long as it works I don't really care about the quality too much. I know its not ideal for most of you, but would it do the job for a beginner? Or are the Reid ones heaps better? I guess the Reid comes with a much better warranty and free servicing for 12 months.

A used one could be an option but if you don't know what you are looking at you could buy something that is worn out and needs $300 or more worth of work to get it running smoothly again, as what happened to another person on this forum a few months back.

Don't buy a bike from K-mart or any other department store, they are rubbish.

The Reid bikes you linked too are very basic base models. They would be a good starting point I guess (better than K-mart ones) and if you decide you like cycling you can upgrade components or the complete bike at a later stage.

I'd avoid the K-mart bike, commonly referred to as a BSO. It may do the job for a while, but likely it will taint your riding experience. However some find them acceptable.

I'd get the Reid if I couldn't find anything acceptable secondhand for the price. Then again, if you have no idea what you are looking at with a secondhand bike then maybe you'll be better off with a Reid. I recommend you get the flat bar of the two models as the flat bar is easier to ride when beginning due to less movement of hands to change gears.

Step one is to know your size. Do the fit calculator below, being careful about the measurements. If you want a flat bar, do the mountain bike verion as ideal frame length are different for road bikes and mountain/flat-bar bikes.http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

I would be looking for an aluminium framed bike as they are better value. As for brands, it doesn't matter too much.

Also do a search of this site as these treads usually come up every week or so.

Nobody wrote:Step one is to know your size. Do the fit calculator below, being careful about the measurements. If you want a flat bar, do the mountain bike verion as ideal frame length are different for road bikes and mountain/flat-bar bikes.http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

I would be looking for an aluminium framed bike as they are better value. As for brands, it doesn't matter too much.

Also do a search of this site as these treads usually come up every week or so.

I see a lot of people with the Reid bikes and the warranty it comes with is good. If I ever have any trouble I can always take it back and have them look at it.

Nobody wrote:Step one is to know your size. Do the fit calculator below, being careful about the measurements. If you want a flat bar, do the mountain bike verion as ideal frame length are different for road bikes and mountain/flat-bar bikes.http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

I would be looking for an aluminium framed bike as they are better value. As for brands, it doesn't matter too much.

Also do a search of this site as these treads usually come up every week or so.

I see a lot of people with the Reid bikes and the warranty it comes with is good. If I ever have any trouble I can always take it back and have them look at it.

Each to their own, maybe go down to Reid cycles and ride the bike.Then check online for used bikes and take a demo.Buy the one you like, as far as used bikes are concerned, as long as you test and buy you'll be fine.

Nobody wrote:Step one is to know your size. Do the fit calculator below, being careful about the measurements. If you want a flat bar, do the mountain bike verion as ideal frame length are different for road bikes and mountain/flat-bar bikes.http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

I would be looking for an aluminium framed bike as they are better value. As for brands, it doesn't matter too much.

Also do a search of this site as these treads usually come up every week or so.

I see a lot of people with the Reid bikes and the warranty it comes with is good. If I ever have any trouble I can always take it back and have them look at it.

I wouldn't advise getting the reid condor unless you are in a state that has a reid store that you can get to . You will find that the rims on that condor will probably be wobbly and out of true making it very hard to tighten the brakes to an acceptable position.

Unfortunately there will not be many options new in this price range but if the choice is between reid and kmart then avoid kmart at all costs.

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